PDA based ambulatory pulse oximeter

The main aim of the research was to develop an ambulatory pulse oximeter which can be used to monitor the SpO2 heart rate (HR) and plethsymograph (PPG) waveform of a person. To achieve this, an algorithm was developed in LabVIEW 8.0 to extract the HR, SpO2 and PPG data from a Nonin Xpod device, Nonin Medical, Inc. LabVIEW PDA software was developed to make it compatible with the PDA. LabVIEW software was also developed for sending the data to the PDA via Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter commercialized by Nonin Medical Company. Using this algorithm, data was collected from three different sensors, namely finger, ear and reflectance sensor which can be used in many places. All the three sensors were attached each at a time during different activities and movements which included hand movement, vertical and horizontal head movement, twisting, walking and spot jogging. Comparative study of each sensor was made to conclude which sensor was a preferred choice over the other during each activity. Comparative study among the sensors was also done to observe which sensor worked better with HR and SpO2 monitoring along with motion. Various tests such as supine-stand test and mental activity were performed to observe the changes in the blood flow of a person using the PPG waveform. From the results obtained it was concluded that different sensors were preferred during different movements. For monitoring HR with motion, a reflectance sensor worked better, while the finger sensor for SpO2 monitoring with motion. Results obtained from the supine stand and mental activity tests were as per the expected results